The Comedies of Terence Part 40

THAIS. What now?

PYTH. What now, indeed?

Will you let him within your doors again?

THAIS. Why not?

PYTH. Remember that I prophesy, He'll make some fresh disturbance.

THAIS. Prithee, peace!

PYTH. It seems, you have not had sufficient proof Of his a.s.surance.

CHaeR. I'll do no harm, Pythias!

PYTH. I'll not believe it, Chaerea, till I see it.

CHaeR. But you shall keep me, Pythias!

PYTH. No, not I.

For, by my troth, I would trust nothing with you, Neither to keep, nor be kept by you.--Hence!

Away!

THAIS. Oh brave! the brother's here! (_Looking out._)

CHaeR. Confusion!

Let's in, dear Thais! I'd not have him see me Here in this dress.

THAIS. Why so? Are you asham'd?

CHaeR. I am indeed.

PYTH. Indeed! asham'd! oh dear!

Think of the girl!

THAIS. Go in! I'll follow you.

Pythias, do you stay here to bring in Chremes.

(_Exeunt THAIS and CHaeREA._

[Changes:

_Harper_ Lest any one should know me.--But is that Thais? 'Tis she herself. I'm all aground.

_Colman 1768_ Lest any one should know me in this habit.

But is that Thais? She. I'm all aground.

_Harper_ It was a clever trick?

CHaeR. No, madam!

THAIS. Can you Believe that you shall go unpunish'd for it?

_Colman 1768_ It was a clever trick, I warrant you?

CHaeR. No, madam!

THAIS. Can you believe that you shall go unpunish'd?

_Harper_ THAIS. Upon what account?

_Colman 1768_ THAIS. Of what crime?

_Harper_ PYTH. Why so? if I had done 't _Colman 1768_ PYTH. Not I. if I had done 't

_Harper_ Let me beseech you to a.s.sist me! I Commit myself entirely to your care: _Colman 1768_ Let me beseech you to a.s.sist me, Thais!

I trust myself entirely to your care:

_Harper_ PYTH. I'll not believe it, Chaerea, till I see it.

_Colman 1768_ PYTH. I'll not believe it, till I see it, Chaerea.]

SCENE III.

_PYTHIAS, CHREMES, SOPHRONA._

PYTH. What can I think of? what can I devise?

Some trick now to be even with that rogue Who palm'd this young spark on us.

CHREM. (_leading the nurse_). Nay, but stir Your stumps a little faster, nurse!

SOPH. I come.

CHREM. Aye, marry; but you don't come on a jot.

PYTH. Well! have you shown the tokens to the nurse?

CHREM. I have.

PYTH. And pray what says she? Did she know them?

CHREM. At first sight.

PYTH. Oh brave news! I'm glad to hear it; For I've a kindness for the girl. Go in; My mistress is impatient for your coming.

(_Exeunt CHREMES and SOPHRONA._ See, yonder's my good master Parmeno, Marching this way: How unconcern'd, forsooth, He stalks along!--But I've devis'd, I hope, The means to vex him sorely.--First I'll in, To know the truth of this discovery, And then return to terrify this rascal. (_Exit._

SCENE IV.

_Enter PARMENO._

PAR. I'm come to see what Chaerea has been doing: Who, if he has but manag'd matters well, Good Heav'ns, how much, and what sincere applause Shall Parmeno acquire!--For not to mention, In an intrigue so difficult as this, Of so much probable expense at least, Since with a griping harlot he'd have bargain'd, That I've procur'd for him the girl he lov'd, Without cost, charge, or trouble; t'other point, That, that I hold my master-piece, there think I've gain'd the prize, in showing a young spark The dispositions and the ways of harlots: Which having early learn'd, he'll ever shun.

(_Enter PYTHIAS behind._) When they're abroad, forsooth, there's none so clean, Nothing so trim, so elegant, as they; Nor, when they sup with a gallant, so nice!

To see these very creatures' gluttony, Filth, poverty, and meanness, when at home; So eager after food, that they devour From yesterday's stale broth the coa.r.s.e black bread:-- All this to know is safety to young men.

SCENE V.